The Detective's Wife

by Mary Stone

352 pages, Paperback

Expected publication February 2, 2027

About the author

To download my FREE BOOK, click here: https://authormarystone.com/free-book...

Nestled in the tranquil Blue Ridge Mountains of East Tennessee, Mary Stone has transformed her peaceful home, once bustling with her sons, into a creative haven. As her family grew, so did her writing career, evolving from childhood fears to a deep understanding of real-life villains. Her stories, centered around strong, unconventional heroines, weave themes of courage and intrigue.

Mary's journey from a solitary writer to establishing her own publishing house marks a significant evolution, showcasing her commitment to the literary world. Through her writing and publishing endeavors, she continues to captivate and inspire, honoring her lifelong fascination with the mysterious and the courageous.

Reviews

[Kourtney Prosser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley & Bookouture for the opportunity to read and review an advance copy of The Detective’s Wife by Mary Stone.

Technically, this book has everything you could want in a thriller. A detective. A missing wife. A new marriage. A forensic psychologist. Secrets, complicated relationships, and plenty of twists.

I really loved the premise and how everything started to unfold. There were so many layers to the story, and I was invested in figuring out what was really going on. I definitely wanted to keep reading to see where everything was going.

The one thing that didn’t quite work for me was the ending. Some of it felt a little far-fetched, and I was left with a few questions once I reached the final page. I just wanted a little more explanation and resolution after everything the story had built up to.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It had an intriguing premise, plenty of twists, and the kind of story that makes you want to keep turning the pages. I would definitely recommend it to thriller readers who enjoy complicated mysteries and plenty of secrets.

4/5 stars. ⭐⭐⭐⭐

[Georgia Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was my first time reading Mary Stone, and it definitely won’t be my last!
The premise hooked me straight away. A decorated detective husband accepting an award, only for a reporter to drop the ultimate bomb: "Detective Slater, did you kill your ex-wife?" From that moment, the tension just doesn't let up.
I love a good psychological thriller, and having this told from two perspectives made it so much fun to read. You get right inside their heads, listening to Conor breathe at 3:00 a.m. while Jo lies awake questioning everything.
Now, I read a lot of thrillers, so about 40% of the way in, I managed to guess a big plot twist (classic me! 😂). I was feeling pretty pleased with myself, thinking I had the whole thing mapped out. But then the next big twist hit, and I didn't see it coming at all!
The real hook isn't just whether he did it, but the shocking reasons behind Jo's choices and why she married him in the first place. Highly recommend if you want a fast-paced page-turner that keeps you guessing until the end!

[Marilena EchoHawk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book really has a little bit of everything, a detective, a missing person, a new marriage, family secrets, murder, and plenty of suspicion. From the beginning, I was pulled into Jo and Conor’s complicated relationship and the mystery surrounding his wife.
There were so many secrets and unexpected twists that I kept changing my mind about what was really happening. Just when I thought I had things figured out, another piece of the puzzle came along.
I enjoyed the suspense, the complicated characters, and the way the story kept me guessing. A few parts felt a little over-the-top for me, but overall, it was an entertaining and addictive thriller with plenty going on to keep the pages turning.
If you like books that combine crime, mystery, relationships, and lots of secrets, this one has it all!

Thank you NetGalley and Bookoture for the ARC in exchange for an honest review .

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jo knows her husband is responsible for his first wife going missing. She sets out to prove it.

This is a dark book. But so gripping! It is so well written. The rivalry for a parent's attention between siblings is so well portrayed. But then, that isn't really the plot of this book. A missing wife, a detective accused of killing her, the detective's new wife who loves him, and loves his kids more, but is aware of his shortcomings.
The twists, though!! I wasn't prepared for the plot twists! I honestly never predicted any of them.
This is why I award a 5 star rating. The unpredictability of the twists. I can normally suss them out, but not in this book.

[Ludmila Husek · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Detective’s Wife is one of those Mary Stone books where the crime is only part of the story. What really stayed with me was the emotional side. The relationship between the characters gave the suspense a much more personal feeling.
It felt real and scared me stiff. I was so petrified and shocked I could not stop reading and finished in one sitting. Only human beings can do the worst to each other. This book will stay with me for a long time. My brain is still in an overdrive because of the last shocking chapter . Bravo! Lida

[Bella Foxe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC!

This was my first Mary Stone book and it did not disappoint! The plot was so intriguing and captivating it was very hard to put the book down as all you want to do is just read ‘one more chapter’🤣

The only thing that made it a four star instead of five was that the plot twist was obvious from 50% and it took the book to get to the last couple of chapters to be officially stated! Other than that Dr Jo’s perspective was amazingly written with intel from a forensic psychiatrist which made all the twists even juicier!

[Brittany Selken · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to thank NetGalley and bookouture for letting me
read and review a early copy of this book by Mary Stone.

This story was a page turner for sure and that what I like about this author writing style she brings all her reader into the story. This story was going into a pointing at one of the characters that I thought commit the crime had nothing to do with it at all. The person that did everything that set everything into place I was not expecting at all like I honestly thought it was the husband but I knew the new wife knew something but I just didn’t know what she knew.

[KELLY · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Stone’s execution got me! WOW! This fantastic psychological thriller was impossible to put down. I binged it! Twistier than I expected, unpredictable, and a total head spinner packed with secrets that kept me guessing. I never knew what was coming next and either will the readers.

This will entertain your mind when you read on release date 02/07/2027.

Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture for the ARC.

[Cc Readsss · Rating 4 out of 5]

Release: Sept 24, 2026
Author: Mary Stone
Publisher: Bookoture

Rating: 4.25★ 

“Did you know you married a murderer?”

Imagine hearing THAT about your husband in front of everyone… when you already know it’s true.

The Detective’s Wife had me wondering why Jo would knowingly marry a man she believed killed his first wife. And the more secrets that came out, the more complicated everything became.

Would you stay married if you knew your husband was a murderer?

[Sue Palmer Crosby · Rating 5 out of 5]

A mental hospital, a woman who says she’s not who they think, a husband who’s a detective, two children longing for their mother and a doctor who knows what’s wrong. Enter the world Mary Stone has created and you’ll be turning pages faster than ever. A tale so plausible it takes your breath away. This story will have you believing you know the ending and then turning it upside down where you’re no sure anymore.

[Robin E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received ARC


Mary Stone never ceases to amaze with her writing! With The Detective’s Wife she has gone in a bit of a different direction from her other books, and you’re not going to dislike it.

Who’s who? Who did what? Who ISN’T guilty? I really can’t say much without giving everything away. Suffice it to say, this is a MUST read.

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story that keeps you entranced throughout. The characters are interesting and complex. You really feel for the characters and what they are experiencing. The plot keeps you interested and wondering. A different type of book for this author but still a great read even though it is different.